Across Georgia

SAVANNAH - A 16-year-old boy has been charged with killing a woman last month at a busy intersection in daylight.

Gloria Peloquin, 43, was shot April 22 in her van just after lunchtime as she was leaving a grocery store parking lot.

The teenager, whose name wasn't released pending his arraignment, was attempting to rob Ms. Peloquin, police said.

Oxendine to make bid for lieutenant governor

ATLANTA - State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine will run for lieutenant governor in 2006, he announced Monday.

The Republican has long been considered a likely candidate for higher office. In 10 years as the state insurance and fire safety commissioner, Mr. Oxendine has kept a high profile, often visiting arson cases in person.

But the fire commissioner has also been criticized for driving expensive state cars during lean budgetary times. Mr. Oxendine is the first candidate to announce his intention to seek the lieutenant governor spot. Democratic Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor is widely expected to leave the job he's held since 1998 to run for governor, although he hasn't made a formal announcement yet.

Train kills 83-year-old who entered tunnel

DECATUR - An 83-year-old man was killed by a westbound MARTA train Monday after he walked into a train tunnel at the Decatur station.

The six-car train hit the man, who appeared to be homeless, inside the tunnel east of the platform at about 10:20 a.m., said MARTA spokeswoman Kimberly Green.

Those waiting for the train did not witness the death, Ms. Green said. The only witness was the train operator, who immediately called authorities.

MARTA police are investigating the accident.

Military college will open Columbus site

COLUMBUS - Georgia Military College is opening another campus, bringing Columbus its first two-year community college.

The campus is expected to open for classes June 21 in a 12,000-square-foot building currently undergoing renovation, said Christi Dixon, the director of the Columbus campus and one nearby at Fort Benning.

The Columbus school will offer two-year associate degrees in general studies, science and the arts, and degrees specializing in early education, criminal justice and business. It will also work toward a pre-nursing program.

The college also operates campuses in Augusta, Valdosta, Warner Robins and Union City.

Teacher may be sued in pupil's punishment

IRWINTON - A Wilkinson County teacher has been suspended for putting an eighth-grade pupil in a closet as punishment for talking in class, but the girl's parents say suspension is not enough.

The 14-year-old girl's father, Jimmy Tompkins, said he's considering legal action against school officials, who suspended Rick Shepler for five days without pay after the April 19 incident, an action he called "a slap on the wrist."